NCAA accuses itself of 'improper conduct'

Daily News Wire Reports

Posted: January 24, 2013

THE NCAA has found what it calls "a very severe issue of improper conduct" committed by former members of its own enforcement program during the Miami investigation, and will not deliver the long-awaited notice of allegations against the Hurricanes until an external review is completed.

NCAA president Mark Emmert announced the findings Wednesday. The sports governing body said former enforcement staff members worked with the criminal defense attorney for former Miami booster and convicted Ponzi scheme architect Nevin Shapiro "to improperly obtain information . . . through a bankruptcy proceeding that did not involve the NCAA."

The NCAA would not reveal the name of the attorney involved. Shapiro has been represented by Maria Elena Perez, a Miami graduate. Perez did not immediately return a request for comment.

One key person in the investigation has been former Miami equipment-room staffer Sean Allen, who was deposed by Perez as part of Shapiro's bankruptcy proceedings.

Emmert said the NCAA learned of the alleged misconduct, in part, through legal bills presented by Shapiro's attorney for work that was not properly approved by the organization's general counsel's office.

In other college news:

* Louisville's Charlie Strong agreed to an 8-year extension with an annual base salary of $3.7 million that makes him the seventh highest-paid Division I football coach.

Soccer *

Chelsea star Eden Hazard was ejected for kicking at a ball boy who didn't give him the ball quickly enough as the Blues were eliminated from the English League Cup with a 0-0 tie at host Swansea in the semifinals. As the ball bounced off an advertising board behind the goal line late in the match, a ball boy in a Swansea sweatsuit slowly walked over to pick it up. Hazard ran up to reclaim the ball for goal kick, and the ball boy fell over, stomach toward the ground and the ball under him. The Belgian winger leaned over the boy, tried to pull it free with both hands and then kicked at the ball. The two apologized to each other after the game, Swansea said in a statement.

* A player in the South American under-20 championship is being investigated for falsifying his identity and playing for the wrong country - and for reportedly being far over the age limit. The Ecuadorean Football Association said the Peru player identified as Max Barrios is a 25-year-old Ecuadorean named Juan Espinoza.

Sport Stops *

As expected, Cincinnati was awarded baseball's 2015 All-Star Game.

* The International Olympic Committee denies asking Russia's government to turn back clocks 1 hour to benefit broadcasters of the 2014 Sochi Winter Games.

* Portugal's Ricardo Santos shot a 7-under 65 for a one-shot lead after the opening round of the Qatar Masters.